Golden asked
I have in recent years ( I am now 24 ) struggled with blemishes on the chin and sometimes the nose, but rarely in the rest of the face. I have somewhat oily skin in the t-sone and occasionally elsewhere, but i can also get some dry skin where I also have oily skin. I have tried many products intended for my skin without any significant improvement, including Jan Marini, Eucerin, Yves Rocher, Vichy, Avene. Basiron and Acnisyl. I also use mineral makeup. Do you have any products you would recommend (preferably something in the cheaper class since I'm a student) or any advice? Hoping for answer :)
Answer
While not always the case, adult onset acne that occurs mostly in the chin and lower cheek area, is most commonly associated with changing or fluctuating hormone levels in the body. Other causes could be dietary related or come from excess stimulation of the skin from too much touching etc...
Women typically are at a higher risk of acne breakouts (especially in the areas you mentioned) due to fluctuations in the menstrual cycle. The changing hormones on a month to month basis make women much more likely to experience acne.
In terms of excess stimulation, the most common part of the body we commonly touch is our lower face/chin area. This touching and stimulation increases oil (or sebum) and can increase the amount of a certain bacteria known as P. P. Acnes (Propionbacterium acnes). An increase in sebum can cause pore blockage while the introduction of the bacteria typically causes inflammation.
There are many things you can do to try and treat the blemishes you are experiencing.The two most important things you can do is use a GENTLE cleanser once to twice daily, while also moisturizing with a gentle, non-alcohol based moisturizer. You should really try to use a skin cleanser everyday. Cleansers help to remove dry and dead skin and keep this dead skin from building up and clogging your pores, which trap both oil and bacteria. Moisturizers help the skin from getting too dried out. With skin that is too dry, the pores get clogged more easily as you have an accumulation of dead skin. Again, try to find a moisturizer that does not contain alcohol. Alcohol-based moisturizers can very often dry out your skin too much, which causes the skin to repair itself by producing more oil. You mentioned in your question you have used Eucerin. While Eucerin is a great moisturizer, it is very thick and is considered an oil based moisturizer (contains high levels of petrolatum, or petroleum jelly). This product could possibly clog your pores so I typically don't recommend it. A good moisturizer choice is Cetaphil (Cetaphil does contain a minimal amount of alcohol based ingredients but in my experience has worked wonders on many acne prone patients).
In addition to cleaners and moisturizers, there are really a countless number of products over the counter that you can try. One of the most common things you will see is a medication known as benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide works in many different ways. First and foremost, it is a very effective antibiotic, killing the bacteria that causes so much inflammation. It also helps to exfoliate the skin, which removes the dead skin cells from your face. Now, benzoyl peroxide can have a very strong drying effect so you need to make sure you moisturize. Typically it is best to apply the benzoyl peroxide at night and moisturize during the day. Resolution, or at least a significant improvement of acne occurs within 4—6 weeks of initiation of treatment. Benzoyl peroxide is also fairly inexpensive.
Another common over the counter topical product is salicylic acid. It is a good option in those with very sensitive skin but multiple studies have shown that it is not as effective as benzoyl peroxide.
In addition to topical products like skin cleaners and benzoyl peroxide, there are certain foods you may want to avoid. Foods such as dairy and excess sugar are thought to worsen hormonal based acne. It's just something to keep in mind.
If you are on a hormonal contraceptive, a possible change in medication may be helpful. There are many different types of birth control that can help stem acne breakouts. Let us know if you would like more information on this matter.
